ALVELEY Village Band is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year and to mark the occasion members will be debuting a special piece of music.
The new arrangement, commissioned from Nick Jones – son of the band’s founder Colin Jones MBE – will be performed at a celebratory concert in St Mary’s Church in June.
Nick was born and brought up in Alveley, attended local schools and along with his brother and sister have played in the band. He studied at Cardiff University graduating with a BMus (Hons) in 1994, a MMus the following year and in 1999 a PhD in composition.
“We are delighted that Nick has agreed to write a new piece of music for the band’s anniversary,” said secretary Sue Williams.
The parish council gave a grant of £350 to help fund the project and clerk Graham Hurry said: “We are really pleased to be able to help out with something like this because it’s not every day a parish council is asked to help compose a song.”
The band’s annual firework concert in the Severn Valley Country Park has been rescheduled for Saturday October 3.
“Due to the monsoons in July we were forced, for the first time ever, to postpone our annual firework concert, but we are pleased to announce the new date with an earlier start time of 6pm,” said Sue.
“Our theme this year is Music from Stage and Screen and the concert features a proms finale with fireworks. Bring a picnic and enjoy a musical evening in the picturesque setting of the country park. Refreshments and homemade puddings will be on sale and the gates open at 5pm.”
Tickets, costing £6 for adults, £3 for children and £16 for a family (two adults and three children) are available from the park’s visitor centre on (01746) 781192. Tickets previously bought will still be valid.
Alveley Village Band is a mixed ability local instrumental group offering a music-making experience for amateurs across Shropshire. They perform several public concerts a year, including annual visits to special needs centres, primary schools and other community venues.
Conductor, Iain Masson, is a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Northern College of Music, and strives to make rehearsals fun and rewarding for every member of the band.
Rehearsals restart on Saturday September 12 are held every Saturday during term time at the primary school from 9am until 11am. For more information call Iain Masson on 07949 089319, Sue Williams on (01746) 761304 or visit www.alveleyvillageband.com